The Tale of Eartheria

“There weren’t always dragons in the Valley.” The elderly lady started as she motioned for her seven grandchildren to come close.

The glow from the fireplace framed her bronzed wrinkled face; her braided, waist length, snow white hair glistened like fresh snow, as her enchanting smile lit up the room of the family home. No matter how many times the little ones heard the story that had been passed down for generations- their eager ears listened attentively every time the grandmother recanted the beloved tale of love, magic, and the origin of the now devolved dragons of their land. A petite, wingless, dragon companion named Komodo laid protectively at the grandmother’s feet; while one of the sweet little girls stroked the dragon’s head as he dozed. Adults and littles alike leaned in closely to hear the story- each person hanging on the elder’s words.

In the beginning when the world was new, the Creator made this world and everything in it. After the Creator was satisfied, a guardian was borne from the heart of the world to protect and maintain the balance of the first of the Creator’s many miracles. When the guardian’s life began, she was self-aware of her purpose- to protect the fragility of nature and man’s harmonious synchronicity. The Creator named the guardian Eartheria (mother of Earth) After giving the being her instruction on how to sustain herself, authority of the new world, the Creator left the guardian to continue their work. Eartheria examined her surroundings and was awestruck by the beautiful sky and magnificent plains that spanned forever. Her first smile pinched the corners of her mouth when a flock of birds soared across the blue expanse. Her eyes drunk in each exotic animal and insect inhabitant while she mindlessly wandered. The guardian did not know where her feet were leading her, but her heart knew she was being led home. Eartheria continued her journey for three days until she reached a beautiful valley. While she absorbed the scenery, a gentle breeze flowed through her waist length crimson hair, while a slight whisper from the wind kissed her ear- calling her home. The being closed her eyes and tilted her head back to feel the energizing sun on her beautiful bronze face. While concentrating, she inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly three times. When she opened her bright green eyes, a shelter was before her, her first manifested need provided by the Creator.

After Eartheria established a bond with the land and the animals, her feet and heart led her till she saw other beings that physically looked like herself. When she ventured into their civilization, the humans dropped to their knees in respect (the Creator had made the inhabitants aware of guardian’s existence- so the people were anticipating her arrival.)

“Mother Eartheria, sent by the Creator, we humbly welcome you.” The people chanted in unison then went back to the preparation of the feast to celebrate their guests’ arrival. The inhabitants lavished the guardian with gifts and attention. The guardian delighted in connecting with their hearts and minds as she became one with humanity. Eartheria had felt the affection of the plants and animals, but what she was feeling from the humans was different- she felt love. This emotion was felt intensely in that of the parents to their children, and the feeling warmed her intensely and made her body glow. The children were drawn to her light and sat mesmerized while she examined each of their sweet faces. As she spoke with the children, she began to feel a small emptiness inside of her.

“Aren’t they wonderful?” A young man asked breaking her trance.

“Yes, they are.” Eartheria replied shyly. The young man’s friendly smile and demeanor intrigued the guardian as he spoke effortlessly with her. Time felt like it had stopped until he politely excused himself. Even when he walked away, the young man still held the beautiful woman’s attention. She observed him discreetly as the man set about his various tasks. The enchanted woman watched the way his toned and bronzed skin moved in the bright sun; while his handsome face beamed with happiness when his younger nieces and nephews thronged around him, begging for his attention. Eartheria felt her heart tug even harder the more that she watched.

The being communed with the humans for two days and came to know the handsome man named Pico. The two became fast friends and in a matter of days Eartheria developed feelings for the man. Rattled by these new emotions, she felt drawn to the privacy of her home in the valley. With a thankful heart, the guardian gave her blessings to the residents. Afterward, Pico hugged her tightly and kissed her tenderly on her cheek, creating a new swell of feelings inside her. After the fond goodbyes Eartheria excused herself and set on her way back to her sanctuary.

When the guardian returned, she cast her eyes upward and called out to her maker.

“Great Creator, I have been amongst the inhabitants beyond the valley. I have seen their offspring and have developed feelings that I can not describe. I am confused, but not afraid. However, those feelings make me feel as if I am not complete.” Eartheria pleaded.

“My child, they are feelings of love, though it is a human emotion, you too are capable of them as well. What do you feel you need to do to make your life complete?” The Creator asked.

“I too want what the humans have- a lifelong bond of a partner and offspring. If it is your desire, and if you find me worthy, I humbly ask that you bless me with my request.” Eartheria prayed.

“It is done.” The Creator stated simply and sent her back to the physical realm.

Eartheria had more questions than answers but knew that if the Creator said that her request would be fulfilled, she had only to wait on the promise- so that was what she did, she waited. Three days later, while she was communing with nature, she was startled by the sight of a familiar figure rapidly approaching her- it was Pico. The two ran to one another and embraced tightly.

“What are you doing here?” Eartheria asked quizzically.

“The Creator came to me in a dream and told me to come to you. I was told that you desired to be my life partner, and I am truly honored to be chosen by you. I did not know where I was going, but my heart and feet led me here- to your arms, to love and cherish you for all the days of my life.” The young man said passionately, then embraced and kissed his beloved. In that moment Eartheria felt tender and unwavering devotion and love. That evening, under the full moon, the pair devoted themselves to one another and was soon blessed with twin daughters.

The celestial being’s first daughter Optimista was born during the rise of the sun and proclaimed the daughter of light. That evening during the waxing of a blood moon, Pessimista, daughter of the night was born. The parents were overjoyed with their children's entrance into the world, but neither were aware of the events that would unfold. The parents were elated that their dark- and light-haired girls were healthy and made their life complete, as the new mother took her new duties naturally. As the girls matured, Eartheria taught her daughters the cosmic arts and duties that came with being guardians of their respective principles.

Optimista the easy going one had a disposition of pure light and joy. Pessimista, however had a dark cloud that hung uneasily over her, which worried the mother and father. The fearful parents gave the troubled girl more attention in hopes that it would brighten her gloomy disposition. However, no matter the time, love, and attention the parents showered on the girl- she was jealous of her twin and became quite resentful.

“Why does she get the power of light? What makes her so special that she has domain over the creatures of the day, and I have the power of darkness. It is not fair that she not only has the rights of the first born, but she is also imbued with the choice power of light.” Pessimista lamented to her mother.

“My lovely daughter, the light can not exist without the dark. All creatures great and small are equally reliant on both principles to prosper. Your magic and your power are important and meaningful, you have nothing to be upset about. You are the embodiment of the absence of light...”

“And she is the absence of darkness.” The young girl interrupted.

“Both depend on the other to exist, and without the other, there could be devastating consequences. The two of you bring a balance that you do not understand, but one day you will- and when you do I know that you will appreciate your purpose.” The mother continued.

The young lady was not comforted by her mothers’ words, in fact it made her more incensed as she got older. So much so, that she planned to overthrow her sister and take both powers as her own- she even conspired to take her mother’s powers, so that she could be the one true guardian. The Creator saw the events that was unfolding and warned the guardian that if left unchecked, the girl would cause a devastating rift.

Concerned by the Creator’s words, the mother confronted her teenage daughter. Unblinkingly, Pessimista confirmed her intentions and with a heavy heart the mother set forth the arrangements for her daughter- not only to protect the family, but the world that the creator loved dearly. Shortly after, the unapologetic girl was banished by her mother to the heart of a mountain, surrounded by two fire breathing beings born from the world’s core to be the guards and keeper of Pessimista.

The heartbroken mother mourned her daughter for three years, then was blessed with another daughter whom she named Optipessa. Not wanting to repeat the tragedy that the mother faced with her other daughter, the new addition was given equal power of both the light and dark. As her age progressed, the little girl proved to be not only cheerful, but very powerful- even more so than her eldest sisters. Even though the mother was pleased with her two daughters, she had her attempted to visit her troubled daughter but was advised by the Creator not to do so, for fear that her darkness would infect the mother’s heart. Dismayed, the mother followed the wishes, and doted all her time and attention to her family and the balance of the world.

On the twenty-first celebration of the twins, and the seventh of the youngest, Pico’s family had gone to the valley to celebrate the birth of the children with a great feast. When the moon began to rise, a deep rumble erupted from the mountain prison that shook the valley. When the family looked in the direction of the disturbance, they were frightened by an emerging conical shape that appeared at the top of the mountain. In an instance, fire flowed from the opening and the dragon guardians emerged with Pessimista riding atop one. A frightened Eartheria was terrified and confused when her magic could not control the beings that she created and once commanded. Intuitively she cast a spell of protection on the valley and the land of the neighboring inhabitants in hopes that she could contain the liquid fire that poured from the mountain. The mother gathered her daughters to concentrate all their magic on the impending doom that was swiftly approaching them. With the rest of the family safe in the confines of the home, the mother and daughters stood ready to defend their home if needed as an enraged Optipessa landed mere feet away from her mother and sisters. The angry, raven-haired beauty disembarked her winged prisoner and addressed her frightened mother.

“Greetings dear mother, it has been quite some time since we have last seen one another. You appear to be surprised and confused that your creations no longer obey you. Now that I am twenty-one, I now command my full power and have taken over your hold on them. I am here to claim not what only is rightfully mine, but also everything that you and those two have.” The young woman seethed, as she turned her attention to her sisters.

“I see that you have replaced me with an inferior progeny- a sad copy of me if I must say so myself.” Pessimista chuckled maniacally, as she addressed the younger dark-haired girl.

“I will show you who is inferior.” The younger girl fumed as she attempted to entrap her sister with magic. Though, the young girl was strong, she was not strong enough to overpower the elder perpetrator and was shot backwards when her power was deflected. When the mother rushed to her youngest daughter’s aid, Eartheria had put her defenses down and was attacked by Pessimista. With a flourish of her hands, the incensed young woman used her dark arts to entrap her mother deeper into the mountain that was once her ten- year prison. Optimista ran toward her twin sister and demanded the return of their mother to which the other woman retorted.

“No worries, dear sister, I have not killed her. She is just entrapped in the same prison that she has condemned me to. Now she will live her eternity in the heart of this world and will be witness to my power as I control all that is rightfully mine.” The young woman seethed. Optimista attempted to attack her twin sister, and both were taken aback by the new surge of power of the youngest girl.

“I know that you are my sister, but we will not let the likes of you take command of the world that the Creator has made. We are the true guardians, we will protect this world from you, and you will return our mother.” The brave girl said confidently while she stood her ground.